As long as the guns are made in the state and stay in the state, they wouldn't fall under the federally regulated commerce clause, he said. Instead, the bill would provide for state licensing and regulations.

Higher fines, penalties for salt mine violations

A proposal that would allow the state to levy higher fines and penalties for certain violations involving salt mine operations received the backing Tuesday of the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee.

Sen. Rick Ward, D-Port Allen, filed the bill (Senate Bill 139) in response to an on-going environmental incident in Bayou Corne that has resulted in an evacuation order for 150 homes.

The Senate-backed measure is one of several proposals filed in response to the collapsed underground salt mine cavern that scientists say has created a 15-acre sinkhole in the Assumption Parish community. Parish officials and residents have complained that mine operators have been slow to respond to their concerns.

Ward's bill would allow the state to assess daily fines against companies if they are issued a cease and desist order and they fail to take corrective action, if the state has to respond to an incident caused by a violation and if a violation is found to be caused by willful neglect that causes severe environmental damage.

The proposal would increase the daily penalty for violations from $5,000 to $32,500. In addition, civil penalties could be assessed up to $1 million.

The bill now moves to the House floor for further debate.

Other legislative action

• A Senate judiciary panel approved a bill that would make it a crime to forge vehicle inspection stickers. Officials from the state Department of Public Safety told the panel that officers have seen an increase in the number of fake stickers. The House-backed proposal (House Bill 364) would provide for a $5,000 fine and up to five years in prison if a person is convicted of creating fake inspection stickers. It moves to the full Senate for debate.